Focus gave $657,000 to kill gay marriage

New information released this week by the California Secretary of State shows that Focus on the Family gave $657,000 in money and services to support a 2008 California ballot initiative against a court ruling allowing gay marriage.

A report in September said Focus contributed $448,406 to ProtectMarriage.com, a Californian coalition, to support Proposition 8. The latest figure adds noncash contributions such as ad time on Focus radio programs and mailing costs, said Gary Schneeberger, Focus vice president of media relations.

The top donor in support of Proposition 8 remains Knights of Columbus, the New Haven, Conn.-based political arm of the Catholic Church.

That group gave $1.275 million to defeat gay marriage, records show.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed $189,000.

Focus on the Family and other 501(c)3 nonprofits can legally donate up to 15 percent of their annual budget to lobbying efforts.